=============="[Despite BMD's documentation, apparently the BMPC-4K camera's "live interlaced output" feature does not work -- period; hopefully it'll be fixed via a firmware update ASAP.] The BMPC-4K (and BMCC) can output interlaced video (25p and 30p in 50i and 60i streams) as a "live" SDI video output (menu setting), but not record interlaced to its internal SSD. BMPC-4K SSD recordings are always strictly progressive. Refer to the user manual page 32 "Connecting to Video Switchers". The BMPC-4K tech specs page on the BMD website is confusing. In the user manual on page 11 they spell it out more clearly: "1920 x 1080i50 output", and, "1920 x 1080i59.94 output". If you wish you can use popular NLE or other software slow BMPC-4K 30p footage down to 24p or 25p for a nice-looking, but subtle slo-mo effect."==============

WillemMollema wrote:I have received my blackmagic 4k production camera 2 weeks ago. I must say i like it but i cant find the HD mode on my bmpc with the ability to shoot 50 fps or 59.94 fps in Full HD. The only two options in record mode are prores 4k and prores HD. There both going max to 30 fps on my display. What am i doing wrong cause the offical website of blackmagic says at the Tech Specs of the 4k BMPC that it can shoot in 50/59.94 fps. Please help me with this.

Kind Regards,

Willem Mollema

See page 32 of the current manual:

Connecting to Video SwitchersThe SDI output allows you to use your camera as a television production camera. You can connect the SDI output directly to production switchers for studio work or to ATEM Camera Converters to convert your signal to optical so you can send it hundreds of meters to a broadcast truck for live production on location.If you have selected to record in 25 or 29.97 fps and set the SDI overlays to Off, the SDI output will be set to 1080i50 and 1080i59.94 respectively. This allows you to work with most switchers, which only support interlaced high definition formats.

I do not know, maybe someone here already published such information. There is a way to determine how much video just recorded on the card. To do this, press the play button to play the last clip. Then stop playback and press the button to the next clip, and then displays the total duration of the video. Checked when operating in RAW mode. Firmware 1.6.1.

Now that SanDisk has created an SD card that can handle write speeds of 250MBs (SanDisk Extreme PRO® SDHC™/SDXC™ UHS-II Memory Card), is it possible for the BMPCC to increase its frames per second rate, for at least ProRes, to 120fps?

rainesdown wrote:Now that SanDisk has created an SD card that can handle write speeds of 250MBs (SanDisk Extreme PRO® SDHC™/SDXC™ UHS-II Memory Card), is it possible for the BMPCC to increase its frames per second rate, for at least ProRes, to 120fps?

rainesdown wrote:Now that SanDisk has created an SD card that can handle write speeds of 250MBs (SanDisk Extreme PRO[REGISTERED SIGN] SDHC[TRADE MARK SIGN]/SDXC[TRADE MARK SIGN] UHS-II Memory Card), is it possible for the BMPCC to increase its frames per second rate, for at least ProRes, to 120fps?

The cameras frame rates are not limited by the write speed of the cards. It's a culmination hardware limitations. To build the camera at such a low price point many compromises have had to be made. The sensor needs more cooling to shoot higher frame rates and the processor needs more bandwidth (which also generates more heat).

It's not simply a write speed of the card. This has been discussed at length. We will probably never see higher frame rates in any of the current cameras.

rainesdown wrote:Now that SanDisk has created an SD card that can handle write speeds of 250MBs (SanDisk Extreme PRO[REGISTERED SIGN] SDHC[TRADE MARK SIGN]/SDXC[TRADE MARK SIGN] UHS-II Memory Card), is it possible for the BMPCC to increase its frames per second rate, for at least ProRes, to 120fps?

The cameras frame rates are not limited by the write speed of the cards. It's a culmination hardware limitations. To build the camera at such a low price point many compromises have had to be made. The sensor needs more cooling to shoot higher frame rates and the processor needs more bandwidth (which also generates more heat).

It's not simply a write speed of the card. This has been discussed at length. We will probably never see higher frame rates in any of the current cameras.

Actually the existing cameras can do more than 30fps. JB even mention in the past that as high as up to but no more than 50fps could be possible but as to date we've not seen it happen.http://johnbrawley.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/blackmagic-cinema-camera-an-update/Given the sluggish nature and broken promises of firmware updates the issue may not be because of hardware limitation but administrative ineffectiveness from the manufacturer to improve existing cameras.

As for overheating if the BMPC 4k can do 30fps with a global shutter it can handle 60fps on a BMCC CMOS sensor.

Samjack wrote:As for overheating if the BMPC 4k can do 30fps with a global shutter it can handle 60fps on a BMCC CMOS sensor.

You are certain of this are you? It might be a good idea to research your topic better because the two cameras do not even use the same sensor. You comparison is pointless.

Yes I am. Your refute is pointless.Global Shutter needed more power and more overheating demanding more work from the cooling fan and reduces battery life. The BMCC battery life is 3-4 times longer then the BMPC 4k. If you don't believe in science at least do your maths.

Geoff Baxter wrote:Oh I believe in science, trouble is your statement is completely devoid of any science. And what maths do you suggest I do? You gave no data.

Interestingly, the BMD specs for the cameras show an identical battery life of 90 minutes.

And if you are going to quote John Brawley, perhaps get it right. He said "The camera will never do more than 50fps. It might be able to do more than 30 at some point in the future." That's might be able to do more than 30, not will.

There were a number of things said back in June of 2012 which did not materialise either.

You neither understand science or even care to look at fact.The BMPC 4K battery life averages 24mins. You probably never used one to find out and now you just made a fool of yourself in front of people who used it and sniggering at you

As for JB comments I qouted it suggest the camera can run upto 50fps but not in the initial iteration of the firmware. He said "might" because he doesnt work for BMD and don't make decision if or might they would release 50fps so no point digging at it.

tifose wrote:Where can i find old versions of Blackmagic Camera Utility Windows? it's my understanding BMPC 4K day one FW for some people seem to show Less FPN but after the updating to new FW FPN start showing

On BMD homepage go to "Support", then select the appropriate Computer Type, Product Series (Cameras) and your Camera Model, click "search". You'll find the latest Firmware / Utility download there, and next to it there is a link to "Archived drivers" - that's where you find all iterations of the Camera Utility.

Vortex677 wrote:so I heard now the 4k camera when its shot on raw is TRUE 4k is this TRUE? also in the 4k camera how much raw can I record on 480 gb drive?

By true 4K, I assume you mean 4K DCI, 4096x2160. The raw on the BMPC4K records 4000x2160 with firmware release 1.8. Tantalizingly close to using the full 4096 horizontal photosites on the sensor. How much you can record depends on the frame rate, but I'm calculating approximately 30 minutes raw at 30 fps assuming a compression factor of 1.5x like the BMPCC raw.

Perhaps this is an infrequently asked question... I just got my Pocket Cinema Camera, and am in the process of finding out my 'personal' exposure index, and would like to know, for the ProRes 'Film' aka 'log' representation, what is the value that an 18% (not to quibble on the exact percentage... or that the meter is not calibrated to that exact reflectance...) Grey Card, using a light meter, should produce when viewed in terms of % IRE?

I've found some threads on the topic for other cameras, some threads which seem to start out talking about 'how to calibrate', but haven't found a clear statement on what the relationship between the the log representation vs IRE.

One reference seemed to suggest 38% is what a log representation should yield for the 18% grey card.

John Clark wrote:and would like to know, for the ProRes 'Film' aka 'log' representation, what is the value that an 18% (not to quibble on the exact percentage... or that the meter is not calibrated to that exact reflectance...) Grey Card, using a light meter, should produce when viewed in terms of % IRE?

I have a Blackmagic Cinema Camera 2.5k EF, I would to know how to resolve the crop problem. Could I mount a lens adapter MFT and then, buy a Speed Booster MFT for EF lens? I've extremely need to resolve it.

I have a Blackmagic Cinema Camera 2.5k EF, I would to know how to resolve the crop problem. Could I mount a lens adapter MFT and then, buy a Speed Booster MFT for EF lens? I've extremely need to resolve it.

If I am not wrong, the BMPC 4K and the URSA have the same sensor. Can we expect soon a firmware update which includes 80fps in HD, 60fps in UHD, Prores 444 any many other things for the BMPC 4K camera?

Gjorgji Klincarov wrote:If I am not wrong, the BMPC 4K and the URSA have the same sensor. Can we expect soon a firmware update which includes 80fps in HD, 60fps in UHD, Prores 444 any many other things for the BMPC 4K camera?

Having the same sensor doesn't mean that they both have the same internal system bandwidth.

We want to buy a Micro Cinema Camera, therefore we have asked our Dealer several time about the delivery. Today on the 5th august he says to us again, that there is no release date communicated by Black Magic.

In this thread I read: Release in July, now ist August and there is no delivery of the camera in sight.

Could You please communicate the effective delivery date of the Micro Cinema Camera.

I cannot stop the recording on my Black magic pocket camera once it heats up after 15 minutes of shooting.I click record and it starts recording but when you click again to stop, nothing happens and it keeps recording!Does anyone has a solution to this problem?Thank you.

Billy George wrote:I cannot stop the recording on my Black magic pocket camera once it heats up after 15 minutes of shooting.I click record and it starts recording but when you click again to stop, nothing happens and it keeps recording! Does anyone has a solution to this problem? Thank you.